spf

Lauren Conrad knows a lot of things (how to make rose cupcakes, for instance) and one area she seems very up-to-speed on is her sunscreen facts. In her new column over on Refinery29, she goes into when to wear it (pretty much always), the SPF number to look for (30), and she gives a really useful reminder when it comes to layering sunscreen. She writes, "The SPF number is simply a standard for how long you can tolerate the sun without burning. So, if you can stay in the sun for 10 minutes without burning, an SPF of 15 would allow you to spend 150 minutes in the sun before burning... . For those of you who think that layering on SPF 15 over your SPF 10 will give the protection of SPF 25, think again. Layering does not increase the SPF. I suppose the only benefit is that it ensures that every area is covered." In other words, go for an SPF of 30 (which derms generally advise anyway) instead of two layers of 15. You'll save yourself some cream—and the pain of an accidental sunburn. Head on over to her essay to read more of her tips. You read more

Now that you've all sworn off tanning and wear sunscreen regularly (right?), it's time to admit another scary truth: Even the best sunscreen can only do so much, and none are truly waterproof. So when you'll be bathing in UV rays at the beach, it's smart to protect your skin with a hat, an umbrella, and extra layers of clothing. Celebrities are getting on board with the idea: Just this weekend in Miami, Anne Hathaway and Real Housewives of Miami star Marysol Patton were spotted wearing what appear to be UPF swim tops while frolicking in the surf. I'd expect this of Anne, with her flawless ivory skin and perfectionistic nature, but when a Real Housewives star wears a maximum-coverage beach garment, you know the tides have really turned against sun exposure. (Although actually, Marysol's top was see-through and super-revealing, but I chose this more modest shot. You're welcome.) I'm all for this trend catching on—let's banish premature cleavage wrinkles forever! Not to mention, you know, melanoma. It's so easy to buy a white UPF swim tee and just layer it over whatever bathing suit you're wearing that day. !function(){function rs_shopping_widget_104596() {setTimeout(function() {try {var transport = new easyXDM.Socket({remote:"http://www.currentlyobsessed.me/api/v1/get_widget?wp=31|Glamour|104596",container: document.getElementById("rs-shopping-widget-104596"),swf: "http://www.currentlyobsessed.me/js/easyXDM-2.4.15.118/easyxdm.swf",onMessage: read more

Before the announcement that skier Lindsey Vonn would be sitting out of the Olympic Games in Sochi, I caught up with the athlete on the set of her Procter & Gamble photo shoot (she partnered up with the beauty brands CoverGirl, Olay, and Pantene as part of their Thank You Mom campaign). And she confessed three really surprising things to me about her skin (which looks fantastic in person, by the way). Here's what she spilled: 1) She's worked out a sunscreen routine that protects her enough that she doesn't have to reapply on the slopes. "I put [sunscreen] on in the morning and then foundation on top. And I usually use a foundation with SPF in it to double up." Her foundation of choice: CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation + Broad Spectrum SPF 20. 2) Her SPF number of choice is 20! "I usually go 20—I feel like if I go higher it clogs my pores, and I feel like a 20 does as good a job as 70. But also when I'm out on the slopes I often have a necky on and that keeps my face more sheltered. But [even so], doubling up with the SPF read more

Ugh, I just returned from a traumatic visit to Urban Outfitters. It was my first genuine I-feel-old experience. Forget stuff not fitting right or being too revealing. You know you're a geriatric customer when 90 percent of the clothes look confusing to you. I tried to play it cool, but my mind was racing through panicked questions: "Baggy pleather with an elasticized ankle—wait, really?", and "What's that sheer mesh panel doing there?" and "Where's the bottom half of this shirt?" Plus, all the flannel got me thinking how it's weird that I've been around long enough for a fashion era I participated in (grunge) to be "back." Meanwhile, I was only even in the store to return a mini backpack I bought for my toddler daughter, and I felt all the 13-year-olds in line with me (school had just let out) totally knew it. ANYWAY—all this got me thinking about how at home my former twentysomething self once felt at Urban (I would have been all over the half shirts, so I'm thankful they did not exist), but also about how much wiser I am now about certain things. If I could give my younger self just one life-changing read more

We've known for years that eating broccoli is good for you, but a new study put together by researchers at the University of Arizona and Johns Hopkins University is testing out if rubbing it on your skin may reduce the risk of skin cancer. Why they think it might work? Broccoli contains a compound called sulforaphane, which prohibits cancer-causing pathways and activates chemoprotective genes for a one-two cancer-preventing punch. To see if it could work topically, the researchers will test a broccoli solution on skin to see if the compound can effectively block simulated sunlight. If it does, this could mean we might someday be spreading broccoli cream all over ourselves before we head outdoors. But in the meantime, still wear the regular-old SPF stuff. And, yes, eat your broccoli. It'll make your mom happy. You can read more about the study here and here. Photos: Photodisc read more

Guys, there's something that confuses me about Gwyneth Paltrow. She's generally so chic (nobody wears white better—Fawnia just posted about how Gwyn took one white sundress from day to night) and so health-conscious, promoting her clean eating and trendy workouts and whatnot. So isn't it kind of strange that we often see her sporting an honest-to-goodness tan? It just doesn't fit with what I picture her personality to be. I mean, G.P. could not be any further from Snooki on the style spectrum, but the two share a propensity for looking more than a little toasty. Here's what Gwyneth looked like over the weekend, for example. (The tan looked even more extreme in other photos, but I hate publishing unflattering pics of people!) It's definitely the beach in East Hampton, not bronzer or self-tanner, that's responsible for this color. Either Gwyneth is just forgetful about applying sunscreen every time she leaves the house during the summer—understandable, it's a huge PITA—or she's not as obsessed with sun protection as many people are these days. See: Gwen Stefani, who meticulously maintains her ghostly skin tone at the beach with help from a hat and parasol. Do you guys also find Gwyneth's tendency read more

I know, I know—there's still a good month left of summer, and now that the heat wave has passed, I'm in no hurry for fall to arrive. That said, as my September calendar starts filling up with events, I've been forced to think ahead just a little bit—and that's also gotten me motivated to snap out of my lazy summer beauty routine and amp up the skin care regimen a little. Summer can be rough on the skin; there's all that exposure to sun, chlorine, and salt water, not to mention the effects of drinking more alcohol and maybe not staying as hydrated as we should (check out my easy tricks for upping your water intake!). So what's a slightly sun-shriveled girl to do this time of year? Here's one trick that'll make a big difference: Upgrade to a double-duty exfoliant. Slough away dull, damaged skin with a scrub that contains both fine granules and chemical exfoliants, like the new G.M .Collin Active Exfoliant Powder, which uses rice powder and salicylic acid (plus niacinamide, which helps fade any new discoloration that's appeared on your skin this summer). Another example: A.S.A.P. Skin Products Daily Exfoliating Facial Scrub, an Australian favorite read more

Last week I took a mini vacation to the beach, and I somehow managed to burn my lips on the first day. (Just to add insult to injury, the next two days were really cloudy and cold. Typical.) I’m normally absolutely militant about putting sunscreen on my face, but I always forget about my lips—and I paid the price. Forget about a margarita with a salted rim after that. Owwww. Now my lips are chapped and peeling and I'm slathering on Aquaphor, which I'm convinced can cure everything. Your lips can burn the same way the rest of your skin can, so you should be equally as vigilant about protecting them as you are about the rest of your face. Dermatologists recommend SPF of 30 or higher, and there are actually quite a few lip products out there now that have this level of protection (though an SPF 15 product is better than nothing). And remember to reapply frequently. You can make an SPF lip balm work for every day too—it’s not just for the beach. There are tons of brands that offer tinted versions for a lovely wash of color on your lips. Or layer on a plain SPF read more

Whether you'll be lazing on a tropical beach or strolling the streets of Paris, you'll probably be wearing plenty of sunscreen on your honeymoon. But if you want to wear makeup too, things can get a little sticky. "As a makeup artist I find that a lot of sunscreen can turn gray, look ashy, or be too thick and sticky, so it changes makeup's texture and color to give it a white cast," says makeup artist Nick Barose. So what's a new bride to do if she wants to protect her skin and look as gorgeous as possible for her new hubby (and in all those honeymoon Instagrams)? Try Nick's pick for the all-time best makeup-friendly sunscreen: Clarins UV Plus HP SPF 40 Tint Daily. "It comes in three shades that work on all skin tones, is sheer, and will leave a nice velvety finish so it also works as makeup primer," he says. It helps keep foundation on for hours longer and not turn greasy, and because it has a tint to it, it adds warmth to skin too and keeps skin from looking pasty in flash photos. Nick also suggests one other product that's already on my read more

Different degrees of bronze: Jade Jagger, L'Wren Scott, and Georgia May Jagger at the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party in London yesterday I feel like the tides have suddenly, finally, really turned when it comes to tanning. Everyone I know is a sunscreen addict, and nobody is walking around with major tan lines. In fact, lots of my friends aren't even messing around with self-tanner or bronzer anymore—they're just rocking their God-given skin tone throughout the sunny months. Personally, I still love doing a subtle sweep of slightly shimmery bronzer (Guerlain) on special occasions, but I rarely bother to self-tan, and I definitely avoid getting any real sun (I'm relying more on hats and good old-fashioned shade in addition to sunscreen, which can only do so much). So let's talk about this topic: Are you bronzing or self-tanning this summer? Or have you cut back on the faux-glow routine lately? Have you gotten better about daily sunscreen? Photo: Getty Images read more

Spring-cleaning may be about getting rid of old clothes and giving your kitchen a deep scrub, but as far as we're concerned, summer is the perfect time to ditch your old makeup and nail polish colors. Test-drive the season's hottest new hues--hot pink, blue, and even orange! read more

Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and even if you don't feel your bikini body is quite ready yet, now is the perfect time to update your sunscreen strategy for summer 2013. I can tell you from experience that this routine will definitely help keep your skin looking more even, as well as help protect it from premature aging and skin cancer. 1. Every morning, no matter what, apply a moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF 30 (I use Aveeno Positively Radiant). Use lots. As much as you can apply and still have it soak in. I'd say I use about a teaspoon. Don't rely on a tinted moisturizer, because you might not slather on enough to get good coverage. When I want tint, I mix a BB cream or tinted moisturizer with my regular SPF moisturizer. 2. On days when you'll be out in strong sun, layer on separate facial sunscreen after your moisturizer. You don't have to layer it all over; focus on the zones where you see dark spots and discoloration appear, like your hairline, nose, and cheekbones. I use Murad Age Proof Suncare Water Resistant Sunscreen. 3. Before getting dressed, mist any exposed skin (shoulders, neck, and read more

What is it about our human nature that gives us this "it can't happen to me" mentality, even when we read the downright-shocking statistics and even see our loved ones experience something like skin cancer? I know, I'm throwing kind of a deep thought at you for a Friday afternoon. But here's why: May 6 is Melanoma Monday, part of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and I want to let you know about this because it's your chance to go out and get a free skin screening that could potentially save your life; to find a location near you, visit The American Academy of Dermatology website. Do this today, then make time in your calendar for Monday to go get checked (and set a reminder so you don't forget). There are also many free clinics happening this weekend across the U.S. in advance of Melanoma Monday, if that's more convenient with your work schedule. If you'd rather check your own skin (have a friend or your guy help out so you can see every inch!), Glamour has published a two-minute how-to guide that has saved more than 80 readers' lives so far. If you make it an annual ritual to read more

I am proud to say that I am a sunscreen devotee, yet I can't say I've fully embraced my pale skin. Come this time of year, I still experience the urge to be a little bit more sunshiney—read: bronzed. So when I found out which brand of self-tanner the gorgeous Nina Dobrev reportedly uses to look THIS summery radiant, I resolved to take the time to apply some of the stuff ASAP (before my round of spring weddings and showers begins!). The tanner of which I speak: good ol' Jergens Natural Glow—which, if you're like me, might have been the very first brand of tanner you ever tried, way back in the day. Obviously there have been awesome advances in tanner since then though (as in, it's much harder to accidentally turn your skin the color of clementines), and Jergens has made one more big change for this upcoming season: It has finally found a way to make self-tanner not have that grody scent anymore. Um, that is extremely major. Well played, Jergens. Who's with me on self-tanning it up by this weekend? Which self-tanner will YOU be spraying (/slathering) on? Tell me below, and share why you use that read more

Although many of you were mildly irritated by the beauty trends I showed you from Coachella last weekend ("pretentious"! "insufferable!"), here's one take-away from the music festival that I think you will appreciate: a super-smart skin care product that stars like Ashley Benson were seen using while out in the sun. That product? Mineral sunscreen, like that from Colorescience. Perhaps you've already discovered powder sunscreen, but if not, here's the main reason it's so great: You can layer it on top of your makeup all throughout the day—key when you'll be out in the sun for an extended period of time. Also, you can take it with you anywhere with less worry about it spilling and ruining your handbag forever; many brands even offer self-dispensing brushes. How's that for eliminating any excuse you've ever had about wearing suncreen? Show of hands: How many of you make powder/mineral sunscreen part of your skin care routine? If not, does this sound like something you'd want to try this spring? Photo: Getty Images read more

Yesterday, we went to the pool. It was super-hot and extremely sunny, and every coveted shaded spot was already taken. But of course. Even though I was heavily SPFed, I swear I could feel new freckles start to dot my face--and I'm not going to lie, I kind of wished I had one of these... read more

We’ve all heard the basic facts about sunscreen: apply 15-30 minutes before sun exposure; wear daily to prevent premature aging; reapply after swimming. But there are some gray areas. Can you use leftover sunscreen from last year? What about tinted moisturizer with SPF—is that enough? We went to the experts to get answers—and you’re going to be surprised by what we learned. read more

Ah, jeez. I'm not sure where to start with this story. You see, a New Jersey mother named Patricia Crenzel was arrested after her 5 year-old got a bad sunburn that her daughter suggested may have been via a tanning bed (a charge Crenzel denies). But that's not the only unbelievable thing—you've got to see how tan this woman is. read more